Photographic apparatus



Aug. 16, 1966 A. J. SABLE ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 26, 1963 FIG! gINVE TORS 13%.,

ATTORNEYS g 1966 A. J. SABLE ETAL 3,

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 WV NTORS BYW W WWW ATTORNEYS Aug. 16, 1966 A. J. SABLE ETAL PHOTOGRAPHI C APPARATUS6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 26, 1963 7/l/ll/ Z NON/ l J INVENTORSATTORNEYS 16, 1966 A. .1. SABLE ETAL 3,266,405

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 9 INVE T RSBY mac/d MMQ AQ.

A TORNEYS A. J. SABLE ETAL 3,266,405

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Aug. 16, 1966 e Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 26,1963 I z ZZFZQTORS BY W TORNEYS 3,266,4h Ce Patented August 16, 19663,266,405 PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Arthur J. Sable, Boston, and Robert G.Yetman, Waltharn, Mass, assignors to Polaroid Corporation, (lambridge,Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 26, 1963, Ser. No. 297,851Claims. (CI. 95-89) This invention relates to photography and, moreparticularly, to photographic apparatus for processing photographicmaterials.

Generally, the present invention is concerned with ap paratus comprisingmeans for treating a photosensitive sheet by superposing it with asecond sheet and distributing a processing liquid in a layer between thesuperposed sheets. The photosensitive sheet comprises a layer of aphotosensitive heavy metal salt, such as silver halide, on a suitablesupport. A portion of the photosensitive sheet is exposed to form alatent image therein and the exposed portion of the photosensitive sheetsuperposed on the second or image-receiving sheet. A viscous processingliquid is distributed between the sheets as a layer covering at leastthe exposed portion to form a positive transfer image on the secondsheet.

In apparatus of the type with which the present invention is concerned,the processing liquid is initially contained in an elongated tubularcontainer and is discharged from the container onto either thephotosensitive or second sheets by compressing a portion of thecontainer while moving the container in the direction of its elongationto eject the liquid at an end of the container.

The invention is shown incorporated in a device for making copies oforiginal documents. Features common to document copiers of this typeinclude means for feeding an original document into the apparatus andsuperposing it with the photosensitive sheet during the exposurethereof, exposing the sheet by either direct or reflex exposure,separating the original from the photosensitive sheet, superpcsing thephotosensitive sheet on the second sheet, introducing the processingfluid between the two sheets and advancing the superposed sheets betweena pair of juxtaposed members to distribute the processing liquid betweenthe sheets.

The document copier embodying the present invention is designed as aportable, electrically operated, semi-automatic device which willproduce uniformly good copies of original documents of varying sizes. Inmost similar devices, the container of processing liquid is manuallyintroduced into the apapratus and placed adjacent the photosensitive orsecond sheet, manually compressed and then manually withdrawn from thehousing to discharge the enclosed fluid onto the adjacent sheet.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus forprocessing photographic materials which includes means for automaticallypositioning a container of processing fluid adjacent the photosensitiveor image-re ceiving sheet and then compressing at least a portion of thecontainer to facilitate discharging the enclosed processing fluid ontothe adjacent sheet.

Another object is to provide novel apparatus for advancing a portion ofthe container positioned adjacent the photosensitive or image-receivingsheet in the direction of its elongation from the apparatus into aposition where it may be grasped and withdrawn from the apparatus.

Still another object is to provide novel apparatus for the processing ofphotographic materials which includes means for advancing the containersof processing liquid one at a time from a storage position among aplurality of containers into position adjacent the photosensitive orimage-receiving sheet, further advancing it to a position where it maybe grasped and withdrawn from the apparatus to discharge the enclosedliquid onto the adjacent sheet, and then compressing at least a portionof the container adjacent the sheet.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of theapplication of which will be exemplified in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view out document-copying apparatus embodyingone form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of components of the apparatus of FIGURE 1,shown with the housing of the apparatus open in an inoperative position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1, the sectionbeing taken substantially midway between the sides of the housing;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of a container usedfor introducing processing fluid into the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a perspective fragmentary view, partially in section, showingcomponents of the apparatus;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective fragmentary views, partially in section,of apparatus comprising means for 10- eating, compressing and advancingthe container of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of apparatus comprising means for advancing andcompresing the container of FIG. 4.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 3 wherein is illustrated oneform of photographic document-copying apparatus embodying the invention.Housing 10, mounting and enclosing the operative components, comprisesan upper housing section 12 pivotably secured to a lower housing section14 by a hinge 16, said hinge being located at one end, called the rearend, of the apparatus. The two sections are pivotable between the closedor operative position shown in FIG. 1 and the open or inoperativeposition shown in FIG. 2, in which the housing sections are separated topermit loading the photographic sheet material into the apparatus.

Upper housing section 12 comprises an upper wall 18 in which are locatedan inlet passage 20 and an exit passage 22 through which the originaldocument to be copied can be introduced into and fed from the apparatus.Inlet passage 20 is defined by convergent walls which may be designatedforward wall 24, rear wall 26 and side walls 28. Exit passage 22 issimilarly defined by forward wall 30, rear wall 32 and side walls 34. Anopening 36, located adjacent a storage area in which a number ofcontainers are stored prior to use, is also located in upper wall 18.The cover 46 of opening 36 is pivotably connected to upper wall 18 byhinges 48. Housing section 12 also comprises side walls 50 and 52,designated left and right side walls respectively, a forward wall 54,and a rear wall 56 to which the upper portion of hinge 16 is connected.

Lower housing section 14 comprises a forward wall 60, portions of whichserveto define withdrawal opening 62, bot-tom wall 64, leit and rightside walls 66 and 68, and rear wall 79 to which the lower portion ofbinge 16 is connected.

The operative components of the document-copying apparatus are mountedon support members or chassis carried within housing 10 on the upper andlower housing sections. These support members include a lower chassis 72comprising a base plate 74, which rests on bottom wall 64 of housingsection 14, and side plates 76 extending upwardly from the base plate.The upper chassis comprises support members 78 extending downwardly fromupper wall 18 of housing section 12, and securely mounted on upper wall18.

Lower chassis 72 includes means for mounting the photosensitive andimage-receiving sheet used in the apparatus. The photosensitive sheet80, preferably in the form of an elongated strip, is supplied on aconventional spool 82, said spool being mounted at its ends for rotationbetween side plates 76 near the rear end of housing 10. Theimage-receiving sheet 84, also in the form of an elongated strip, iscontained on a similar spool 86, mounted for rotation between the sideplates 76 near the forward end of the apparatus.

The apparatus includes means for exposing a photosensitive sheetcomprising two sources of illumination and means for conducting thephotosensitive sheet and original document in superposition past theillumination sources. Each source comprises a light-conductingcylindrioal bar 88 enclosed in an opaque cylindrical tube 90 which isprovided with an axial slot 92 equal in length to the width of thephotosensitive sheet for transmitting the actinic light emitted from bar88 to the photosensitive sheet. The light source for each bar comprisesa small incandescent lamp mounted within the end section of tube 90adjacent to the end of bar 88. One illumination source is mounted onupper support member 78 in upper housing section 12; the other on lowerchassis 72 inlower housing section 14. As the superposed photosensitivesheet and original document are guided between the two sources, thephotosensitive sheet may, by utilizing one source or the other, besubjected to either a direct exposure wherein the photosensitive sheetis exposed to light transmitted through to it through the originaldocument, or to a reflex exposure wherein the actinic light istransmitted through the photosensitive sheet to the surface of theoriginal document and is then partially reflected b ack to thephotosensitive sheet to form a developable image therein.

I The means for guiding the photosensitive sheet and original documentbetween the two illumination sources include a transparent cylindricaltube 94 surrounding the upper illuminating source and mounted forrotation on upper support members 78. An elongated guide rod 96 ismounted between side plates 76 with its axis parallel with the axis oftube 94 and its periphery spaced slightly at a distance from theperiphery of tube 94. Guide roll 98, engaging tube 94 along itsperiphery, is mounted for rotation between side plates 76 with its axisparallel to tube 94.

Photosensitive sheet 80 is conducted from spool 82, between guide rod 96and tube 94, around a portion of the cylindrical surface of tube 94 andbetween the tube and guide roll 98. The axial slots 92 in tubes 90 arepositi-oned so that the actinic light transmitted from either of bars 88will expose the portion of the photosensitive sheet 80 that is supportedby cylindrical tube 94 between guide rod 96 and guide roll 98.

The means for guiding the original document, designated 100 in FIG. 3,into superposition with the photosensitive sheet, comp-rises a pair ofrolls, inlet roll 102 and central roll 104, mounted for rotation injuxtaposition between upper support members 78. Rolls 102 and 104 engagethe original document along a line lying in a plane substantiallytangent to the surface of tube 94 at a line closely adjacent rod 96 andtube 94 and, in conjunction with light-sealing elements 106 and 108which extend, respectively, from rear wall 26 to a point closelyadjacent rod 96, and from central roll 104 to a point closely adjacenttube 94, guide the original document between rod 96 and tube 94 and intosuperposition for exposure with the photosensitive sheet.

The apparatus comprises means for separating original document from thephotosensitive sheet following exposure of the latter in superpositionwith the original and for then guiding the origin-a1 out of theapparatus. Outlet roll 100 and control roll 104 :are mounted forrotation between upper support member 78 so as to engage originaldocument 100 along a line lying in a plane substantially tangent to tube94 and guide roll 98. A pair of light-sealing elements 112 and 114,which extend downwardly from rolls 104 and 110, respectively, topositions closely adjacent tube 94 and roll 98, assist in separating theoriginal document from the photosensitive sheet and guiding the originalinto the bite of the outlet noll. Elements 106, 108 also serve toprevent light from entering the apparatus through the inlet and exitpassages and fogging or overexposing the photosensitive sheet.

After the original document has been separated from the exposedphotosensitive sheet and guided out of the apparatus, the exposed sheetis superposed with a secend or image-receiving sheet 84 and a layer of aprocessing liquid distributed between the sheets to form a copy of theoriginal document on the second sheet. The means for distributing theliquid include a pair of pressureaapplying rolls 116 and 118. Roll 116is mounted for rotation on lower chassis '72. Roll 118 is mounted forrotation between a pair of movable members 120 mounted on lower chassi72 so as to provide for limited movement of roll 118 relative to roll116. A spring mechanism 122 is provided for biasing roll 118 tow ardroll 116.

The exposed portion of photosensitive sheet 80 is guided around aportion of guide roll 98 and then 'between the pressure-applying rolls.Image-receiving sheet 84 is conducted from spool 86, around guide rod124 mounted between side plates 76 parallel to spool 86, around aportion of roll 116 and into superposition with the photosensitivesheet. The portion of the image-receiving sheet between guide rod 124and roll 116 provides a substantially horizontal surface on which themass of processing fluid may be deposited. Since spools 82 and 86 areboth mounted on lower chassis 72, the photosensitive and image-receivingsheet may be threaded between rolls 116 and 118 while housing sections12 and 14 are separated in the inoperative position.

In the apparatus shown, the processing liquid is supplied in anelongated tubular container very much like a conventional drinkingstraw. This container, designated 126 in FIG. 4, includes a cavity ofsubstantially uniform cross section, approximately equal in length tothe width of the exposed portion of photosensitive sheet and filled withthe processing liquid. Both ends of the containers are sealed with oneend, designated 128, adapted to become unsealed to form a dischargemouth through which the processing liquid may be discharged in responseto a hydraulic pressure generated within the enclosed liquid. In thedisclosed apparatus, the container is placed transverse theimage-receiving sheet with end 128 located adjacent the margin of theimage-receiving sheet most distant from opening 58. The portion of thecontainer adjacent the lateral edge of the image-receiving sheet nearestopening 58 is then compressed and the container withdrawn from theapparatus. This withdrawal creates a hydraulic pressure in the enclosedliquid and causes end 128 of the container most distant from opening 58to become unsealed and the contents to be ejected therefrom in the formof a uniformly distributed elongated mass extending across thesubstantially horizontal portion of the image-receiving sheet betweenguide rod 124 and pressure-applying roll 116. The means for locating thecontainer adjacent the image-receiving sheet and for discharging theliquid from the container will be described in detail hereinafter.

After the processing liquid has been discharged onto the image-receivingsheet, the photosensitive and imagereceiving sheets are advanced insuperposition between the pressure-applying rolls to distribute theprocessing liquid between the superposed sheets, toward the trai1- ingend of the exposed area of the photosensitive sheet, as a layer coveringthe exposed area.

The superposed sheets with the liquid between them are required toremain in darkness during a predetermined period, at the end of whichthey may be guided out of the housing and separated. The means fortransporting the superposed sheets through the housing in a light-tightenvironment and guiding them from the housing comprise a pair ofwithdrawal rolls 130 mounted in juxtaposition for rotation on lowerchassis 72 withing housing and adjacent withdrawal opening 62,

A rotary knife 132 and anvil 134 are provided adjacent thepressure-applying rolls on the side thereof nearest withdrawal opening62 for severing the exposed and processed portion of the superposedsheets from the remaining sheet material as the superposed sheets passbetween the knife and anvil. After the exposed and processed portions ofthe photosensitive and image-receiving sheets have been severed from theunprocessed sheet material, the superposed sheets are advanced out ofthe housing through withdrawal opening 62. If the superposed sheets areseparted, the photosensitive sheet may be discarded; the image-receivingsheet comprises a copy of the original document.

In the illustrated apparatus, the operational sequence is controlled bya number of switches and sensing devices located in inlet and exitpassages 20 and 22, on upper wall 18, and adjacent tapered andwithdrawal openings 58 and 62. A person using the apparatus must adjusta switch, designated 136 in FIGURE 1 and mounted'on upper wall 18, toselectively determine whether direct or reflex exposure is required andto control the intensity of the actinic light, introduce the originaldocument to be copied partially into inlet passage 20, withdraw acontainer of processing liquid through tapered opening 58, and thenseparate the exposed and processed photosensitive and image-receivingsheets as they are advanced from the housing. All other operations areperformed automatically.

When original document 100 is introduced into inlet passage 20, itsleading edge trips a switch 138 in passage 20 illuminating the selectedlight source and actuating electric motor 140, mounted in lower housingsection 14. As illustrated in FIG. 5, motor 140 acts through a pair ofreduction gears 142 to drive power transmitting rod 144, mounted forrotation on lower chassis 72 and extending transverse the lower chassisfrom adjacent motor 140 to adjacent lower side wall 66 of housing 10.

A pair of coaxial juxtaposed gears 146 and 148 are mounted on rod 144adjacent side plate 76 on the side thereof most distant from motor 140.One of the gears, gear146, engages gear 150 mounted coaxially with rotary knife 132. The other, gear 148, engages gear 152 mounted coaxiallywith pressure-applying roll 116. Gears 150 and 152 are designed torotate freely with respect to knife 132 and pressure-applying roll 116,respectively, so that rolls 116 and 118 and knife132 are not actuated atthis time.

A sprocket 158 mounted on the end of power transmitting rod 144 mostdistant from motor 140 drives a chain 160 to transmit torque togear .162mounted coaxially with and keyed to the upper of withdrawal rolls 130and to gear 166 on the upper portion of side plate 76. Gear 166is'mounted coaxially with a friction wheel 168 which engages a secondfriction wheel 170 mounted in upper housing section 12. The drive systemis designed so that inlet, exit and withdrawal rolls are driven at thesame peripheral speed. Drive chain 160 also engages an idler gear 165 onlower side wall 66, and gear 163 which drives the means for positioning,advancing and compressing the fluid filled containers.

Rolls 102 and 104 advance the original document until the documentsleading edge trips a second switch 172, mounted on light sealing element106, deactivating motor .140, to stop the advancement of the originaldocument.

In the illustrated apparatus, switch 138 which actuated motor is alsodesigned to actuate novel apparatus for advancing a container ofprocessing fluid from the storage area adjacent opening 36, in which aplurality of containers are stored, into a position closely adjacent andtransverse the portion of image-receiving sheet lying between guide rod124 and pressure-applying roll 116, advancing the container from thisposition in an axial direction until the end most distant from end 128extends through tapered opening 58, and then compressing the portion ofthe container adjacent the edge of the image-receiving sheet nearestopening 58. The container is then manually withdrawn from the housing todischarge the enclosed fluid from the container onto the image-receivingsheet. Withdrawing the container also trips a third switch (not shown)mounted on side wall 50 adjacent opening 58 reactivating motor 140. Thenovel means for advancing and compressing the fluid filled containerwillbe described in detail hereinafter. It should be noted that thecontainer is not advanced out of opening 58 until after the originaldocument has been introduced into the apparatus and that the operatingcycle will not continue until the container has been completelywithdrawn.

As the original document is further advanced, its leading edge trips afourth switch 206 on light sealing element 106 engaging thepressure-applying rolls 116 and 118 for advancing the photosensitive andimage-receiving sheets. As illustrated in FIG. 5, clutch 156, keyed toroll 116 and normally spaced apart from gear 152, is mounted coaxiallywith roll 116 on the side of gear 152 most distant from motor 140. Gear152, as previously noted, is driven by motor 140, but is mounted forrotation relative to roll 116. When switch 266 is tripped, a solenoid(not shown) moves clutch 156 into engagement with gear 152.

Since the superposed original document and photosensitive sheet shouldnot move relative to each other during exposure of the photosensitivesheet, the inlet, outlet and pressure-applying rolls are designed torotate at the same peripheral speed. A gear train, designated 208 inFIG. 3, is provided to insure that guide roll 98 and cylindrical tube 94rotate at the same peripheral speed as do the pressure-applying rolls.

As the exposed photosensitive sheet and original document pass betweentube 94 and guide roll 98, they are separated, the original documentpassing between lightsealing elements 112 and 114 into exit passage 22and the photosensitive sheet being advanced into superposition with theimage-receiving sheets. As the original document enters the exitpassage, its leading edge releases a fifth switch 210 mounted onlight-sealing element 114 adjacent guide roll 98 engaging knife 132 tosever the superposed photosensitive and image-receiving sheets along aline closely adjacent the leading edge of the exposed portion of thephotosensitive sheet. I

As illustrated in FIG. 5, clutch 154, keyed to knife 132 and designed tonormally be disengaged from gear 150, is mounted coaxially with knife132 on the side of gear most distant from motor 140. Gear 150, aspreviously noted, is driven by motor 140 and mounted for rotationrelative to knife 132. Switch 210 acts through a solenoid (not shown) toengage clutch 154 and gear 150, and cause rotary knife 132 to rotateagainst anvil 134 to sever the superposed sheets. In the preferredembodiment, clutch 154 is designed to disengage itself from gear 150after one complete revolution to allow the processed sheets to befurther advanced between the 7 switch 242 disengages clutch 154 and gear150 to stop the rotation of the pressure-applying rolls.

The present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, includes meansfor advancing a container of processing liquid from the storage areainto a position parallel with and closely adjacent to theimage-receiving sheet; advancing the container in an axial directionthrough tapered opening 58 until at least a portion of the containerextends outside housing 10 and the remainder of the container extendstransverse the portion of the imagereceiving sheet onto which the liquidis to be discharged, and then compressing the portion of the containeradjacent the lateral edge of the image-receiving sheet nearest opening58 so that the liquid will be discharged onto the image-receiving sheetwhen the container is completely withdrawn from the housing. Theillustrated apparatus also includes means for insuring that theplurality of containers located between the storage area and theimage-receiving sheet are substantially parallel to said sheet therebyinsuring the proper advancement of the containers into position adjacentthe imagereceiving sheet.

Before use, a number of containers are located in the storage area inupper housing section 12. The means for advancing the containers intoposition adjacent the image-receiving sheet includes a pair of endblocks, 1'76 and 178, which comprises the sides and bottom of thestorage area. As illustrated in FIG. 2, end blocks 176 and 178 arearranged so that the central portion of the document-copying apparatusis easily accessible for loading the rolls of sheet material into thedevice. Each end block includes a vertical slot 180, one side of whichhas been partially removed at a 45 angle, for guiding the containersinto position adjacent the image-receiving sheet and the means foradvancing the containers from the apparatus. The top surface of the endblocks is slightly inclined toward slots 180. A belt 182 is mounted on apair of wheels 184 adjacent the inclined portion of each slot so thatthe portion of the belt parallel to the inclined portion frictionallyengages the periphery of the adjacent fluid-filled containers. Belts 182are driven by a second pair of belts 186 connecting drive shaft 164which extends transverse the apparatus between end blocks 176 and 178and the upper of wheels 184 on each end block.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the means for advancing the containerlocated at the bottom of slots 180 closely adjacent the image-receivingsheet, until an end portion of the container extends partially out ofhousing 10 through tapered opening 58, comprises a spacer 192 and arubber drum 190 mounted for rotation on shaft 191 adjacent the bottom ofslot 180 on end block 178 nearest the tapered opening. Drum 190 andspacer 192 are essentially cylindrical, except that the portion of eachthat is adjacent slot 180 has been removed to allow the fluidfilledcontainers to drop freely to the bottom of slots 180. When shaft 191 isrotated, the peripheral surface of drum 190 engages the container mostclosely adjacent the imagereceiving sheet between drum 190 and thesurface of slot 180 opposite the drum and advances the containerpartially out of the apparatus; spacer 192 simultaneously rotatesbetween the container to be advanced and the containers located above itin slots 180 to insure that only the container most closely adjacent theimage-receiving sheet will be advanced and compressed.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, gear 163 which engages drive chain 160 ismounted on drive shaft 164 so that it is free to rotate with respect toshaft 164. A clutch 188 mounted coaxially with and keyed to shaft 164 isoriginally spaced apart from gear 163 but is adapted to move intoengagement with gear 163 in response to the tripping of switch 138 bythe original document. When clutch 188 and gear 163 are engaged, torqueis transmitted from motor 140 to drum 190 and spacer 192 through a pairof level gears mounted on shafts 191 and 164.

The means for compressing the'fluid-filled containers after theadvancement of an end portion through the tapered opening comprise apair of jaws 198 on gears 194 and 196 which are mounted in engagementfor rotation on either side of slot on end block 178. Gear 194 mountedcoaxially with drum and keyed to drum 190 and gear 196 rotate inresponse to the rotation of drum 190 to advance jaws 198, as sh'own inFIG. 8, from the position illustrated -to the position indicated by thedashed outline in which the jaws are in compressive engagement with thefluid-filled container. Gears 194 and 196 are designed for moving jaws198 into engagement with the container immediately after the end portionof the container has been advanced through opening 58 into a positionwhere it may be grasped and completely withdrawn from the apparatus. Asthe jaws 198 move into engagement, a pawl 200, mounted on lower chassis72 near the end of drive shaft 164 most distant from opening 58, dropsinto the single recess on ratchet gear 202 to lock drive shaft 164,which is spring biased for counterclockwise rotation (as seen in FIG.7), and to lock jaws 198 in compressive engagement with the fluid-filledcontainer. When pawl 200 is released drive shaft 164 will rotatecounterclockwise to separate jaws 198 and rotate spacer 192 and drum 190to their original positions.

Belts 182 and bevel gears 193 are designed so that the portion of belts182 that is in contact with the fluid-filled containers in slots 180will move upward while drum 190 is rotating to advance the desiredcontainer out of the apparatus. This upward movement agitates thecontainers adjacent the inclined portions of slots 180 and insures thatthe containers remain parallel. When pawl 200 is released, the portionof belts 182 engaging the containers is driven downward thereby forcingthe containers downward until one of the containers is loctaed adjacentthe image-receiving sheet in position for advancement and compressionduring the next documentcopying cycle.

The present invention has been described with reference to a device inwhich the fluid-filled containers are advanced in parallel relationshipfrom the storage area adjacent opening 36 to the position adjacent theimagereceiving sheet. This parallel relationship insures that two ormore containers will not cross or otherwise jam during advancement sothat a container will be advanced into position for compression duringevery documentcopying cycle. It should be apparent that a number ofequivalent means for insuring continuous advancement could besatisfactorily incorporated with the remaining parts of the apparatuswithout departing from the scope of the invention.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus Withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In photographic apparatus for treating a photographic sheet bydistributing a processing liquid over at least a portion of said sheetduring movement of said sheet through said apparatus, in combination:

an opening in said apparatus for admitting one of said containerslengthwise; first advancement means comprising an advancement member forengaging an end portion of one of said containers and advancing said onecontainer from said storage means in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the elongation of said container to a position adjacentsaid sheet and extending transversely 0f the direction of movement ofsaid sheet in alignment with said opening in response to movement ofsaid advancement member; and

a second advancement means for engaging said one container in saidposition and moving said one con- 9 tainer in the direction of theelongation thereof relative to said sheet to advance at least an endportion of said one container from said apparatus through said opening;

said second advancement means comprising a drum mounted within saidapparatus adjacent said sheet and said opening, said drum having asubstantially cylindrical surface for engaging said container and beingmounted for rotation adjacent the lateral edge of said sheet nearestsaid opening, being normally disposed with said surface out of contactwith said one container and being rotatable into frictional engagementwith the peripheral surface of said one container in said position, andmeans for rotating said drum into and in frictional engagement with saidone container to advance the latter from said position through saidopening;

said first advancement means being coupled with said second advancementmeans and being responsive thereto for advancing another of saidcontainers from said storage means subsequent to advancement of said onecontainer from said apparatus by said second advancement means. I

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said second advancement meansinclude means for spacing all but said one of said plurality of saidcontainers away from said position during rotation of said drum, saidmeans comprising a substantially cylindrical disc mounted coaXially withsaid drum on the end thereof nearest said first advacement means formovement in response to the rotation of said drum to a positionintermediate said one container in said position and the remainder ofsaid plurality of containers.

3. In photographic apparatus for treating a photographic sheet bydistributing a processing liquid over at least a portion of said sheetduring movement of said sheet through said apparatus, in combination:

an opening in said apparatus for admit-ting one of said containerslengthwise;

first advancement means comprising an advancement member for engaging anend portion of one of said containers and advancing said one containerfrom said storage means in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe elongation of said container to a position adjacent said sheet andextending transversely of the direction of movement of said sheet inalignment with said opening in response to movement of said advancementmember;

a second advancement means for engaging said one container in saidposition and moving said one container in the direction of theelongation thereof relative to said sheet to advance at least an endportion of said one container from said apparatus through said opening;and

a pressure member movable into engagement with said container in saidposition for applying compressive pressure progressively to theremaining portion of said container as said remaining portion isadvanced from said apparauts through said opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said pressure member is normallydisposed out of engagement with said container and is moved by saidsecond advancement means into engagement with said container afteradvancement of a predetermined length of said container, including saidend portion, from said apparatus through said opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which said second advancement meanscomprise an advancement member mounted adjacent said sheet and saidopening, said member normally being disposed out of engagement with saidone container in said position and being movable into and in frictionalengagement with said one container in said position for moving said onecontainer from said position, and in which said pressure member iscoupled with said advancement member for advancing said pressure memberinto engagement with said container in response to movement of saidadvancement member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said advancement means includemeans for spacing all but one of said plurality of containers away fromsaid position during movement of said advancement member and saidengagement means to insure that only said one container in said positionis advanced and compressed.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said advancement member comprises adrum having a substantially cylindrical surface for engaging saidcontainer mounted for rotation adjacent the lateral edge of said sheetnearest said opening, said surface of said drum being rotatable into andin frictional engagement with said container for moving said container.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said second advancement meansinclude means for spacing all but said one of said plurality ofcontainers away from said position during rotation of said drum, saidmeans comprising a substantially cylindrical disc mounted coaxially withsaid drum between the latter and said first advancement means forrotation in response to rotation of said drum to a position intermediatesaid one container in said position and the remainder of said pluralityof containers.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said engagement means comprises apair of engagement members mounted adjacent said opening on oppositesides of said position for movement into compressive engagement withsaid one container in response to the rotation of said drum.

10. The apparatus of claim 11 in which said first advancement meanscomprise an advancement element disposed in engagement with an endportion of at least said one container for advancing said end portionfrom said storage means into said position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said first advancement meansinclude means for engaging said one container during the advancementthereof from said storage means to align the axis of said one containerparallel with said position prior to the advancement of said onecontainer into said position.

12. In photographic apparatus for treating a photographic sheet bydistributing a processing liquid over at least a portion of said sheetduring movement of said sheet through said apparatus, in combination:

means for locating an elongated tubular container within said apparatusin a position adjacent said sheet and transversely of the direction ofmovement of said sheet;

an opening in said apparatus for admitting said container lengthwise;

advancing means including an advancement member normally disposed out ofengagement with said container and mounted for movment into and infrictional engagement with said container for moving said container inthe direction of its elongation relative to said sheet to advance atleast an end portion of said container from said apparatus through saidopening; and

engagement means within said apparatus adjacent said opening andnormally disposed out of engagement with said container, said engagementmeans being coupled with said advancement means and responsive theretofor moving said engagement means into engagement with said containerafter advancement of a predetermined length of said container, includingsaid end portion, from said apparatus to apply compressive pressure tothe remaining portion of said container as said remaining portion isadvanced from said apparatus through said opening.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which said advancement member comprisesa drum having a cylindrical surface for engaging said container, mountedfor rotation adjacent the lateral edge of said sheet nearest saidopening, said surface of said drum being movable by rotation of saiddrum'into and in engagement with said container to move said containerthrough said opening.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which said engagemen-t means arenormally disposed out of engagement With said container and are coupledwith said drum and responsive to movement thereof for moving saidengagement means into engagement With at least a portion of said onecontainer.

15. In photographic apparatus for treating a photographic sheet bydistributing a processing liquid over at least a portion of said sheetduring movement of said sheet through said apparatus, in combination:

means for locating an elongated tubular container Within said apparatusin a position adjacent said sheet and transversely of the direction ofmovement of said sheet; an opening in said apparatus for admitting saidcon- 7 tainer lengthwise;

advancing means including an advancement member normally disposed out ofengagement with said contrainer and mounted for movement into and infrictional engagement with said container for moving said container inthe direction of its elongation relative to said sheet to advance atleast an end portion of said container from said apparatus through saidopening;

engagement means within said apparatus adjacent said opening andnormally disposed out of engagement with said container, said engagementmeans being coupled with said advancement means and responsive theretofor moving said engagement means into engagement With said containerafter advancement of 'a predetermined length of said container,including said end portion, from said apparatus through said opening toapply compressive pressure to the remaining portion of said container assaid remaining portion is advanced from said apparatus'through saidopening; and 7 storage means for holding a plurality of said containerswithin said apparauts, said means for locating the first-mentionedcontainer in said position including means for advancing said containerssubstantially perpendicular to the elongation thereof from said storagemeans until at least one of said containers is located in said position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,167,049 7/1939Maurath et a1. 221295 X 3,112,843 12/1963 Hamberg 221-259 X 3,134,3175/1964 Land 98-89 3,189,220 6/1965 Mullaney 22 1-259 X NORTON ANSI-IER,Primary Examiner.

C. B. PRICE, Assistant Examiner.

12. IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS FOR TREATING A PHOTOGRAPHIC SHEET BYDISTRIBUTING A PROCESSING LIQUID OVER AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID SHEETDURING MOVEMENT OF SAID SHEET THROUGH SAID APPARATUS, IN COMBINATION:MEANS FOR LOCATING AN ELONGATED TUBULAR CONTAINER WITHIN SAID APPARATUSIN A POSITION ADJACENT SAID SHEET AND TRANSVERSELY OF THE DIRECTION OFMOVEMENT OF SAID SHEET; AN OPENING IN SAID APPARATUS FOR ADMITTING SAIDCONTAINER LENGTHWISE; ADVANCING MEANS INCLUDING AN ADVANCEMENT MEMBERNORMALLY DISPOSED OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONTAINER AND MOUNTED FORMOVEMENT INTO AND IN FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONTAINER FORMOVING SAID CONTAINER IN THE DIRECTION OF ITS ELONGATION RELATIVE TOSAID SHEET TO ADVANCE AT LEAST AN END PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER FROMSAID APPARATUS THROUGH SAID OPENING; AND ENGAGEMENT MEANS WITHIN SAIDAPPARATUS ADJACENT SAID OPENING AND NORMALLY DISPOSED OUT OF ENGAGEMENTWITH SAID CONTAINER, SAID ENGAGEMENT MEANS BEING COUPLED WITH SAIDADVANCEMENT MEANS AND RESPONSIVE THERETO FOR MOVING SAID ENGAGEMENTMEANS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONTAINER AFTER ADVANCEMENT OF APREDETERMINED LENGTH OF SAID CONTAINER, INCLUDING SAID END PORTION, FROMSAID APPARATUS TO APPLY COMPRESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE REMAINING PORTION OFSAID CONTAINER AS SAID REMAINING PORTION IS ADVANCED FROM SAID APPARATUSTHROUGH SAID OPENING.